"Zzz..."Barn snored amid the pile of people on the ship's deck. Everyone on board had gone wild the night before, drinking themselves into a stupor. Barn, forgetting he was now a child, had chugged down an entire barrel himself. Unsurprisingly, he ended up vomiting multiple times and was still unconscious.
"WAKE UP YOHOHOHO! YOOHOHOHO!"
That bizarre wake-up call could only belong to one man—Brook. Barn shot up with a start, as if he'd seen a ghost, and immediately assumed a defensive stance. The rest of the crew, however, got up slowly and casually, exchanging greetings like it was just another day.
A particularly buff, bald, mustachioed man stood and shouted at Brook, "Brook! Seriously? Look how badly you scared the kid!"
He ignored Barn's clear reluctance and pulled him into a bear hug. Barn yelled, "Let me go, you musclehead! You damn perv! Freak!" But the man just grinned with a dazzling smile and squeezed even tighter.
"St-stop! You're gonna crush me... I'm gonna die!"
That man was Blom, the head of the Rumba Pirates' combat unit.
"Haha, Blom, let him go! Look at the poor kid—he's about to pass out," came York'is voice, laughing as he approached. As soon as Blom heard the captain's order, he obediently released Barn. Barn looked at Yorki like he was an angel. He had never found the old man so charming before.
"Alright, lads! Do you remember why we came to this island?" Yorki shouted.
"TREASURE!"The crew roared in unison, spirits high and eyes gleaming with excitement.
"That's right! Haha! Then let's move out! Barn, stick with Brook—he'll take care of you!"
"Oh!""Mm-hmm!""Tch."
Brook clicked his tongue in annoyance, but Barn, hearing the word "treasure," sobered up instantly. Come on—he'd made it to the One Piece world. How could he not go treasure hunting? This was a golden opportunity!
In the island's forest, Barn lay sprawled on Brook's back as they walked slowly.
"Barn, have you ever seen a real demon?" Brook asked suddenly.
Barn blinked in confusion. "Why are you asking that?"
"Captain Yorki said he sensed the aura of a Devil Fruit on your left arm, but it's not an actual Devil Fruit power. He believes it might be a curse placed on you by a demon. So I figured maybe you've encountered a real one."
Barn's mind raced. He'd been worrying about how to explain his cursed left hand from Kazan in this world—and now, Yorki had practically given him the perfect setup. What a helpful guy.
"Barn? Why aren't you answering?" Brook looked back to see Barn's vacant expression. Barn quickly turned his head away, avoiding eye contact. Brook muttered to himself, "I knew it."
Barn's acting skills were truly Oscar-worthy. He tightened his grip around Brook's neck, tears brimming in his unfocused eyes. Then, in a hoarse, choked voice, he said:
"You're right... When I was little, there was a fire in our yard. A demon named Kazan abducted me. He called himself the Demon of Vibration. He was weak at the time and said he didn't want others to use his power. He told me:
'The earth trembles, but the heart remains still. Though your eyes see nothing, you can perceive everything. Those who rely solely on vision are fools.Abandon the light and train without end. Darkness too shall become my ally.I stand in the pitch-black void above the trembling earth, exploring myself and all around me.Those my sword points at shall feel terror in their hearts. Then, I saw the eyes I had once forsaken—Endless black skies, countless floating pupils, all watching since the beginning.Come, gaze upon me—the Eye of Vibration. The Unblinking Eye. Witness my ultimate form.'"
After saying this, he sliced open his own chest with sharp claws, revealing what looked like a strange fruit covered in spiral patterns. He grabbed my left hand and drove it into his heart. The pain was unbearable—I passed out. When I woke up, I was blind, and my left hand had changed. Since then, everyone in my village treated me like a monster. Only my parents never gave up on me... but now... they're gone... sob."
Barn wove a tale that was part truth and part fiction—and even managed to move himself. He let a few tears slip from his cat-like eyes and looked at Brook, sniffling, "Brook... You guys don't see me as a monster too, do you?"
Brook sighed and patted Barn's head. "You idiot."
Barn knew he'd pulled it off and celebrated with a silent fist pump in his heart.
After a long pause, Brook asked again, "But if you really can't see, how did you sense us?"
"Oh, that? I call it 'Mind's Eye.' Not only can I sense people's presence, but I can also detect danger and hostile intent. I only approached you guys because I didn't feel any malice."
Brook nodded thoughtfully. "Then why are you still riding on my back? Why not walk yourself?"
"I can sense people, sure, but I still can't see where I'm going. Plus, walking is tiring," Barn pouted.
"You—! Get down and walk!" Brook turned, ready to pry him off, but was met with Barn's big, watery eyes.
"Brook-san... You really do think I'm a burden…"
Brook sighed deeply and gave up. Grinding his teeth, he muttered, "You little devil..." Barn silently gave himself thirty-two thumbs up.
They continued walking for a long time, and Brook gradually began to lower his guard. Seeing this cheerful, animated version of Brook, Barn thought to himself—This is the real Brook. Not bad at all.
"Barn! There's a cave up ahead. This must be the place! The treasure's gotta be in there. Haha! Can't believe we're the first ones here! Let's go check it out!" Brook said excitedly.